The Falcoholic's Absurdly Early Guess At The Falcons Roster

by Dave Choate on Aug 6, 2011 12:30 PM EDT in Falcons News

Some would say it's way too early to try to guess the final roster. I wouldn't quibble with that, but I'm doing it anyways.

Part of the reason that I do this so very early is to see just how wrong I am down the line. It also gives all of you an opportunity to be as horribly wrong as I am, or to hit upon a long shot the rest of us are simply stunned by.

In making this list, you'll note that I assumed the Falcons won't re-sign Jason Snelling, and that they will release Chauncey Davis before the start of the season. Trey Lewis is also gone, while two undrafted free agents manage to sneak onto the squad. Given the team's growing defensive depth and my own whimsy, most of the practice squad is populated with promising offensive players.

Check out my list after the jump, and feel free to share yours. If I've miscounted again, be sure to let me know.

QB Matt Ryan
QB Chris Redman
QB John Parker Wilson
RB Michael Turner
RB Jacquizz Rodgers
RB Gartrell Johnson
FB Ovie Mughelli
WR Roddy White
WR Julio Jones
WR Harry Douglas
WR Kerry Meier
WR Eric Weems
TE Tony Gonzalez
TE Michael Palmer
TE Justin Peelle
OT Sam Baker
OT Tyson Clabo
OT Will Svitek
OT/OG Garrett Reynolds
OG Justin Blalock
OG Mike Johnson
OG Andrew Jackson
OG Matt Murphy
C Todd McClure
C Joe Hawley
DE John Abraham
DE Kroy Biermann
DE Ray Edwards
DE Lawrence Sidbury
DE Cliff Matthews
DT Jon Babineaux
DT Peria Jerry
DT Corey Peters
DT Vance Walker
OLB Sean Weatherspoon
OLB Stephen Nicholas
OLB Mike Peterson
OLB Spencer Adkins
OLB/MLB Akeem Dent
MLB Curtis Lofton
MLB Coy Wire
CB Dunta Robinson
CB Brent Grimes
CB Dominique Franks
CB Chris Owens
CB Darrin Walls
FS Thomas DeCoud
FS Rafael Bush
SS William Moore
SS Shann Schillinger
K Matt Bryant
P Matt Bosher
LS Joe Zelenka

PRACTICE SQUAD

QB Adam Froman
RB Antone Smith
WR P.J. Gore
C/G Paul Fenaroli
DE Emmanuel Stephens
OT Jose Valdez
TE Marquez Branson
S Rafael Priest

Poll

How close is Dave Choate's final roster?

Spot on, old bean!

63 votes

Close, but at least a few are off

199 votes

Not that close

18 votes

Very, very off

6 votes

You have Matt Ryan making it? Hah!

42 votes

328 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

No bear woods on the practice squad!!!

BLASPHEMY

Shi@t!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

by JJWatt1stfalconspick on Aug 6, 2011 12:39 PM EDT via mobile reply actions

This

by FLA_Falcon on Aug 6, 2011 4:18 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Actually, I messed up and forgot Bear

I think he’ll be back. Strike Rafael Priest and replace him with Bear.

by Dave Choate on Aug 7, 2011 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions

I don't think they will keep 7 backers or 10 lineman

I think Trey Lewis stays for the fact of depth needed more at DT than an extra LB.

by Atlborn3 on Aug 6, 2011 12:56 PM EDT reply actions

LBs

Are more inclined to ST play than DTs. That could make the difference.

by Mosugo on Aug 7, 2011 8:17 AM EDT up reply actions

good a guess as anyone could

make at this stage, BUT I think I read somewhere that Valdez has used up all his PS eligibility. I think he makes the 53 and either Matt Murphy or Andrew Jackson go to the practice squad, probably Matt Murphy because Jackson was pretty well thought of around the league. What caused him to fall was an injury. they’d probably wanna protect him and keep him on the 53.

by chaz s on Aug 6, 2011 1:00 PM EDT reply actions

I think you're right about that

I think you can make a good case for swapping Valdez and Murphy in that scenario. Coaching staff definitely likes Valdez. For some reason, I thought he still had eligibility.

by Dave Choate on Aug 7, 2011 12:04 AM EDT up reply actions

No Thor, no Bear...

I say good day to you sir.

by aces666high on Aug 6, 2011 1:03 PM EDT reply actions

Haha

by FLA_Falcon on Aug 6, 2011 4:19 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Not bad

And it’s starting to look more and more like we’re not going to resign Snelling.

by mr92687!!! on Aug 6, 2011 1:39 PM EDT reply actions

My concern with not resigning Snelling is

with such an abbreviated offseason and so little time to “get up to NFL speed,” will Jaquizz be ready to make an impact? How has Gartrell Johnson looked in camp?
IF Chauncey and Trey don’t make the squad, will that give us enough cap space to bring Snelling back into the fold? Does the team even want him back? I have read reports that some measure of indecisiveness on Snelling’s part led the Giants to resign Bradshaw? Was he a pawn in the negotiations between Bradshaw and the Giants organization?

by bdub712 on Aug 6, 2011 1:57 PM EDT up reply actions

Gartrell has looked really good...

But I’m still wondering why we won’t be resigning Snelling?! Doesn’t look like he is finding work elsewhere.

by DirtyBirdTakeover on Aug 6, 2011 2:07 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Snellling news the I JUST saw this on Rotoworld.com

“Free agent RB Jason Snelling has an offer on the table from the Falcons.
It appears the Falcons have given Snelling an open invitation to return as he scours the market. He’s drawn interest from the Rams, Giants and Chiefs this summer, but all three teams ended up going in another direction. The Falcons may be Snelling’s only viable landing spot at this point. "

by Fear Me on Aug 6, 2011 7:41 PM EDT up reply actions

God I hope that's true

He’s a serviceable back who can fill in at FB as well. I’d feel a lot better with him as MT’s backup than Gartrell Johnson.

by aces666high on Aug 6, 2011 8:05 PM EDT up reply actions

I agree completely

by mwalex on Aug 6, 2011 8:07 PM EDT up reply actions

Its almost as if Snelling doesn't want to come back

He’s been passed over by KC, STL, and NY. We have reportedly made him an offer but no word on if he’ll sign it. I’d be interested to know his intentions because he’d be a backup with all the teams he visited. If he wants to be gone so bad, maybe its a good idea to go with what we have.

by leonw92 on Aug 6, 2011 10:08 PM EDT up reply actions

He’s just checking out his options..

Daffy Duck goes to bed at 10:00 every night, except on New Year's Eve, he goes to bed at 8:30.

by bwellnjonesco on Aug 6, 2011 11:16 PM EDT up reply actions

He doesn't

want to leave, he just wants to be paid.

by BigFalcon84 on Aug 6, 2011 11:41 PM EDT up reply actions

The DT depth

makes me kinda nervous in this scenario. The only (and I mean the ONLY) good thing about having Jamaal Anderson was that he could also line up at DT. Since he’s gone, I believe we should have a 5th guy or perhaps a DT on the PS until Jerry, for example, shows us he can stay healthy…but can any player really ever show you that? Yeah, Trey Lewis makes the team, I’m guessing. Also, maybe Harvey instead of Gore. and Schillinger and Bush at the opposite safety positions…I think.

by A. "Falmouth" Thomas on Aug 6, 2011 2:56 PM EDT reply actions

Falmouth?

by FLA_Falcon on Aug 6, 2011 4:20 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

yep.

Falmouth. Is your “question” A) Hey Falmouth, is that you? or B) What does Falmouth mean? (not foul mouth but Fal(con) mouth…follow?)

by A. "Falmouth" Thomas on Aug 6, 2011 8:42 PM EDT up reply actions

Funny

I live near a Falmouth.

by Dave Choate on Aug 7, 2011 12:02 AM EDT up reply actions

Completely off subject...

I’m making my first training camp visit in the morning. Any ideas, tips or suggestions for the newbie?

by LuvGems on Aug 6, 2011 4:39 PM EDT reply actions

Here's what I can tell you from working outside.

Cooler. Water. Ice. Water. Hat. Water. Sunscreen. Water.

I’m assuming it’s just as bad there but down here it’s been 95+ every day. My in car thermometer read 101 at 7 p.m. Yesterday. The heat has been ridiculous.

by FLA_Falcon on Aug 6, 2011 6:29 PM EDT via mobile up reply actions

Yeah.

It’s miserable hot here too. But according to the instructions you can’t take a cooler so I’ll have to stuff bottles of water in my purse. Good idea about the sunscreen…I cook. Still I’m really looking forward to it.

by LuvGems on Aug 6, 2011 7:28 PM EDT up reply actions

Ive been in hibernation through the lockout

Where is Harvey Dahl and Jason Snelling?

I'm not going to think of something extra witty or clever to say, I don't want to convince you to see things my way, I just have 2 words for you: JEREMY LAMB

by qthaballa on Aug 6, 2011 5:51 PM EDT reply actions

Harvey Dahl ...

is now with the Rams. He was a free agent. Jason Snelling is also a free agent who has been making the rounds talking to lots of teams. Don’t know if the Falcons made him an offer or not.

by LuvGems on Aug 6, 2011 6:03 PM EDT up reply actions

Good shot at the lineup Dave. It'll get shaken up when Snelling signs.

We’ve seen the the value of JS44. I don’t understand other teams’ hesitancy. At the end of the season, das Snell-meister was doing a better job of “reading with Ovie” than MT33. He has good hands, and he also frees up a roster spot as the backup fullback. Obviously, I’m a fan.

I also believe Forman will steal JPW’’s #3 QB slot. I don’t have a compelling argument for this belief, I just think 3 years of Wilson is enough.
—AOb

How many more days, Lord, must I walk through the wilderness?
GO FALCONS!!

by AnOldBird on Aug 6, 2011 8:33 PM EDT reply actions

It sounds like he's got an offer on the table

That makes me re-visit this whole depth chart. I hope he comes back.

by Dave Choate on Aug 7, 2011 12:03 AM EDT up reply actions

Think Chaz is right......

….I don’t think Valdez can be on the practice squad for 3 years……one other area to watch is long snapper; Andrew Schulze is supposed to be pretty good, and if the team likes him he’ll be a little cheaper than Zelenka…..I know they tried this a few years ago and ended up cutting the rookie (can’t even remember his name) and brought in a veteran Zelenka-type, Mike Schneck; would changing the snapper in addition to the holder and punter be a good thing, or a bad thing ?

by jkaflagg on Aug 6, 2011 8:45 PM EDT reply actions